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Tillsonburg Horizon Seeds atoms win Game 5 in OMHA BB semifinals

The OMHA BB semifinal between Tillsonburg Horizon Seeds Tornadoes and Strathroy was decided Saturday in Strathroy.

Tillsonburg defeated Strathroy 4-3 to win the six-point series 6-4.

Strathroy had tied the six-point series at 4-4 (two wins each) with a 3-2 overtime victory in Tillsonburg Friday night.

A power-play goal with 1:27 remaining in the third period gave Strathroy a 2-1 lead, but the Tornadoes crashed back to score with 26.6 left. Michel Laundrie tipped in Hayden McLean's shot to send it into overtime.

Strathroy's second power-play goal of the game at 7:27 in OT won it for the visitors.

"When you score with 20 seconds left, definitely you think the momentum is on your side," said Horizon Seeds coach Duane Harris. "And I think it was – we took it straight down there and we had pressure on them. We had chances, we just didn't capitalize.

"It's just a good series," said Harris. "Two good teams, back and forth. They're an excellent hockey team. It's just an even series and it can go either way... 3-2 overtime pretty much sums up the series. It's what I expected – we're very even in all aspects."

The power play goals, he said, were Tillsonburg's undoing Friday night.

"Late in the game and overtime, which is tough, but that's the way it goes. Either way, it's exciting. It's a tough one to swallow from our end, but I really thought we took over in the third and played a much better third period, and even into overtime.

"It's great hockey and both teams are playing their guts out. There's not really much more you can ask for. We'll see how well we make out (Saturday) night."

Strathroy had opened the series with an 8-2 win in Strathroy on Feb. 24. Tillsonburg rebounded winning 4-2 at the Kinsmen Memorial Arena and 5-1 in Strathroy Thursday night.

"I think we weren't at the top of our game (in the opener) and they were prepared. In a sense I think it woke us up. It made us realize where we're at and who we were playing, and the calibre of hockey we're going to have to play to compete."

Harris said he was happy how the team responded to the loss.

"I thought we bounced back real well, and then played really well last night in their building. It's just a great series, there's no two ways about it. It's two teams that are playing hard, and you know what... it's too bad this is only the semis."

Tillsonburg advances to play Collingwood in the OMHA BB finals. Collingwood swept three series to reach the finals defeating Midland, Huntsville and Stirling three straight.

Game 4

Strathroy 3, Tillsonburg 2 OT

Horizon Seeds scoring: 1. Brandon Balazs (Nolan McCrossin, Michel Laundrie); 2. Michel Laundrie (Hayden McLean).

Distroscale

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